A summary of the maps, research and thoughts from the k20 Educators Think Tank in Month 1 (15th Nov - 15th Dec 2021)
In the first month of this Virtual World Building Think Tank, the 7 Fellows have been getting to grips with:
We have been running weekly meetings to showcase and discuss best-in-practice spaces for Education in virtual worlds.
Link: https://gather.town/app/Swt3PbaMGfBOdy78/k20_eventteachingrooms
Description: A map with 3 spaces to use for virtual classrooms - a mock trial room, a model UN room, and a Debate room. These spaces are designed to provide educators with useful, immersive spaces to engage their students. Lessons where debates and mock trials are are an interesting pedagogical technique for learning would work best in these spaces, and each could be personalised with embedded objects with background information, websites for reference and synced docs for notes and timings.
Link: https://gather.town/app/mg9Z5XxwlXHHtivh/Heart and brain anatomy
Description: The Year 8 science students become heart and brain surgeons in Gather. They explore the different parts of the human heart (atriums, ventricles, valves, arteries, and veins) and brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, and the brain stem). The heart surgeons measure individual heart beats and pulses, as well as building a functioning heart model using plastic bottles. On the other hand, the brain surgeons investigate the brain structure through an interactive brain model. They will then participate in the Sleek Geeks science film competition to educate others on strategies to improve our brain health. At the end of the session, students use Mentimeter and Padlet to reflect on their learning activities in Gathertown.
Link: https://gather.town/app/cAOAFLhHxF1OKxJP/k20_plantcell
Description: A map to help teach plant cell biology. The students can be led by a facilitator to explore a leaf in closer and closer detail, eventually becoming small enough to walk inside a plant cell, as their teacher introduces each part of the cell.